On the look out for sweet potatoes

**Nicos** · 10-04-2009, 09:34 AM

I've chitted a supermarket one- and only 2 of the 4 shoots are still growing!
Mine sat right next to a hot radiator for about a week - when the roots grew and a few days later the shoots started.
I changed the water every day to prevent it going slimey
I cut the potato into 4 which was tricky getting shoots and roots on the same piece!

...I actually managed to snap off one of the shoots accidentally

...however...that little shoot went into a glass of water- and it's rooting nicely!!!
2 of the slips are growing well- but the other one is going a bit mouldy- so I'm half expecting that one to die!

Yup- it is cold in the Uk for them- but if we have a hot summer and they can be fleeced I'm sure they will survive. A neighbour of mine suceeded with a crop a few years ago when it was a hot summer- she planted hers through black plastic.
I have got some piccies, but not got the hang of resizing them

Have a go- it'll be a bit of fun!

Oh - and welcome to the Vine!!..what else are you planning to grow???

**broadway** · 10-04-2009, 09:35 AM

Hello Lottspots,

Take a look at this list, has 6 sweet pot options.

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**esrikandan** · 10-04-2009, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by lottspots View Post

Hi!
Does anyone know of a site I can get my hands on some seed sweet potatoes?? I've tried chitting a regular sainsburys one but to no avail...I'm not even sure if our climate suits them.

Any advice greatly received

Lottspots,

How are you chitting them? They're not like normal potatoes...!

I bought one from ASDA, put it into a jar of water and left it too it. After about 2-3 weeks I had some nice shoots (last weekend in fact) about 2 -3 inches tall. I cut them off taking a tiny bit of the sweet potato with it and potted them up in small (3") pots with some compost mixed with Perlite and Vermiculite. They are sitting on the kitchen window sill and look fine so far.

Attached Files

**Nicos** · 10-04-2009, 09:59 AM

Those look good!
didn't you bother with the roots then???

My two are about 18" long now- and heading for the door!!

**esrikandan** · 10-04-2009, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by Nicos View Post

Those look good!
didn't you bother with the roots then???

My two are about 18" long now- and heading for the door!!

I didn't know you needed to worry about the roots! One of the slips had started growing roots (the biggest one), but the others I just lobbed in the pots. I'm hoping there's something going on underneath!

**Rhona** · 10-04-2009, 03:12 PM

I've found that organic sweet potatoes are much easier to chit and grow on than non-organic. I find the same thing with 'ordinary' potatoes too.

**SeedHoarder** · 10-04-2009, 04:15 PM

If it help, Marshall's Seeds sell sweet potato 'slips'.

**blackcatlois** · 10-04-2009, 04:40 PM

I had some sweet potato slips a couple of years ago from the Organic Gardening Catalogue. I didn't plant through black plastic and it was a wet, not a particularly warm summer, but I still have a very pleasing crop from them. :O)

**Bluemchen** · 12-04-2009, 08:32 PM

I'm trying some at the mo in gritty compost in a propagator... can only see mould though, after about a week.... think I might have to try the water method, but am worrying it is too late. I will be planting them in the greenhouse. What spacing do they need?

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On the look out for sweet potatoes

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